Sussex University social work department tops key league tables

The social work department at Sussex University has ended the year at the top of two league tables and placed second in another.

The Department of Social Work and Social Care at the University of Sussex is top of both The Guardian University Guide 2014 and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014.

The department is also ranked second in The Complete University Guide 2014.

Cath Holmstrom, the outgoing head of department who also studied at Sussex, paid tribute to her colleagues as she prepared to become principal lecturer at Middlesex University.

She said: “This is hugely satisfying and represents a great deal of hard work and a genuine commitment to excellence in teaching and learning and in research activities.

“Our student satisfaction scores as measured by recent National Student Survey results are generally high and this in turn contributes to league table successes.

Cath Holmstrom

“In order to achieve such results, a whole team approach is very much needed, with students, especially student representatives, at the heart of what we do.

“It is not possible to obtain such high scores without the commitment of all concerned.

“However, we are far from complacent and will continue to reflect openly and critically upon our work and upon student feedback to ensure ongoing progress.”

The Head of the School of Education and Social Work, Professor Brian Hudson, said: “The Department of Social Work and Social Care works extremely effectively as a team to meet exceptionally high standards both in terms of the quality of the teaching provided and of the student experience offered.

“This achievement is recognition for both staff and students and is richly deserved.”

Professor Chris Marlin, a pro-vice chancellor at the university, said: “This is an exceptional achievement for the department and one which shows what we can aspire to at Sussex.

“This year’s results are also particularly pleasing given the ongoing public spotlight upon the social work profession and questions about the appropriateness of current models of preparation for social work practice.

“The results serve to endorse the research-based approach to professional education that is so important within a university such as Sussex.”